73401SPA
Opening Times
Shops: The smaller the town, the more likely they are to adhere to the standard Spanish timetable – 9:30-1:30/2:00pm & reopen 4:30/5:00 until 8pm. Saturdays 9:30-1:30pm. However, in all major cities – Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia – to name a few – in most shopping area stores will be open all day long – even Saturday afternoons. Sunday openings depends on where you find yourself, but it is more common than it used to be – if in doubt call the El Corte Ingles in that town. If they are open, then many of the main stores will be too. In Madrid practically all of the stores in the centre are now open on Sundays, in Barcelona everything other than a few tourist shops is closed on Sundays.
El Corte Ingles: Open Mon-Sat 10am-9pm. In the summer months some stores are open until 10pm.
Post Office: Open 9:00-8pm Monday to Friday – all major cities. Sat closes 1.00pm. However, some offices might close earlier. Check the hours of your local office with the hotel.
Banks
Open Mon-Fri 8:00-2:00, some branches might provide service on Saturdays. Some banks offer currency exchange but it is increasingly more common that this service is only open to customers of that bank, so check your local branch before referring the group there.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1st, 6th; March 29th; Good Friday; Easter Sunday; Easter Monday in Catalunya & País Vasco. Monday May 1st; July 25th; August 15th; October 12th; November 1st; December 6th, 8th, 25th. In Valencia, also 16-19th March (Fallas). Many regions have their own holidays, so double-check to be on the safe side.
US CONSULATES
Madrid: American Embassy, Calle Serrano 75, 28006 Madrid
Barcelona: Paseo Reina Elisenda de Montcada, 23, 08034 Barcelona
Valencia: Dr. Romagosa, 1, 2, J, 46002, Valencia,
Some help in smaller places – including Seville, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca.
TELEPHONES
Always advise groups that there could be a charge for using the hotel phone EVEN if they are dialing toll free 900 numbers!
For calling the US, you need to dial 00 + 1 + area code + number.
Please refer to the Yellow Pages for phone numbers for calling card companies
STAMPS
From tobacco shops “Tabaco” as well as post offices. Yellow post boxes. There are also red post boxes for an express mail service.
ADDITIONAL FREE TIME SUGGESTIONS
Larger towns and cities have tourist information offices where you can pick up maps and information about local sights and evening activities. Your best sources are the internet, Guía del Ocio (in almost every town/city nowadays – published on Thursdays), Time Out (Barcelona – Catalan only). Additionally, it is always good to ask your local guide – they often know what’s on at the moment in their town. Never hesitate to ask the hotel reception staff.